Thieves have tried to steal the ashes of the founder of psychoanalysis Sigmund Freud and his wife Martha.

The burglars "severely damaged" the ancient urn that contained the couple's remains when they attempted to take it from Hoop Lane Cemetery in Golders Green, north west London between New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, police said.

Detective constable Daniel Candler called the attempted theft "despicable" as he appealed for information.

Sigmund Freud's work remains influential in modern psychotherapy

He said: "This was a despicable act by a callous thief. Even leaving aside the financial value of the irreplaceable urn and the historical significance of to whom it related; the fact that someone set out to take an object knowing it contained the last remains of a person defies belief. I urge anyone who knows the perpetrator to contact me or Crimestoppers."